Traffic Alert: Part of tollway closed this weekend

All lanes of the Sam Houston Tollway between West Bellfort and Bellaire will close at 10 p.m. Friday. They are not scheduled to reopen until 5 a.m. Monday.

The direct connectors from the Sam Houston Tollway southbound to the Southwest Freeway will also be closed. The northbound Sam Houston Tollway direct connectors to the Southwest Freeway will remain open.

The closure is to allow crews to install new overhead signage.

Officials said the closure marks the beginning of the next phase of signage and striping improvements being made to the Sam Houston Tollway between the Southwest Freeway and the Northwest Freeway.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area. Gessner and West Airport are possible alternate routes, but don't forget there will likely be extra traffic on those roads as other motorists are using them as alternates, too.